Paper-feeding machine



Oct. 10, 1933. F. w. BARKLEY 1,929,766

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PAPER FEEDING MACHINE Oct. 10, 1933.

Oct. 10, 1933. w EY 1,929,766

PAPER FEEDING MACHINE Filed Dec. 10, 1929 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Oct.10.1933

Fred W. Barkley, Winthrop, Mass.

Application member 10, 1929 v Serial No. 413,023

37 Claims. (Cl. 27128) The present invention relates to paper feedingmachines which separate individual sheets from a .pile and deliver themin succession to a mechanism or machine for operating thereon.

The object of the invention isto produce asheet separating anddeliveringmachine which,

will operate at high speed in a reliable and certain manner to separatesheets from a pile and deliver them in regular succession to a folder"or other machine for operating upon the sheets. To the accomplishment ofthis object, and such others as mayhereinafter appear, the features ofthe invention relate to certain methods, devices, combinations andarrangements of parts hereinafter described and then set forth broadlyand in detail in the appended claims which possess advantages readilyapparent to those skilled in the art. I r v I i The various features ofthe present invention will be readily understoodfrom an inspection ofthe accompanying drawings illustrating the best form of the invention atpresent known to the inventor, in which,

Figure 1 is a detail view in left-side elevation of a sheetfeedingmachine, the delivery or front end of the machine being at the right; Y

I Figure 2 is a detail View in rear elevation illustrating particularlythe platform for the 'pile of sheets and the mechanism for maintainingthe uppermost sheet in the pile substantially in the same horizontalplane during its depletion;

Figure 3 is a detailview in longitudinal sectional elevation;

Figure 4 is a detail View the transmission gearing connecting theseparating roll and delivery drumshafts;

Figure 5 is a plan View;

Figure 6 is a detail View, partly in section, of

the separatin roll and the parts associated there-' with;

Figure '7 is a view in front sectional elevation on the line '7-!,Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a view' showing a diagram of the magnet and resistance coilcircuits;

Figure 9 is a detail view in' left-side sectional elevation of the'oscillating tube for winding the rear edges of the uppermost sheets inthe pile;

Figure 10 is a detail view in 1eft-side elevation showing the deliveringdrum and its relationship to the pile of sheets and the hold-down. c

Figure ll is a detail View in rear sectional elevation'on the line11-l1, Figure 10, and f Figure 12 is a detail perspective View of thehold-down and the automatic mechanism con- ,trolled thereby forelevating the platform for the in front elevation of pile of sheets tomaintain the uppermost sheet of the depleted pile substantially in thesame plane.

. Referring first to Figure 3 for a preliminary general description ofthe machine and the work performed thereby the sheets are stacked in apile upon'a vertically movable platform. The pile is staked byahold-down engaged'with' the uppermost sheet. in the-pile adjacent itsleading edge. The rear and side faces of the pile are winded to causethe rear portion of the uppermost sheet to float on an air cushionupwardly into the field of operation of a suction roll rotatingconstantly about a fixed axisin a clockwise'direction. This roll engagesthe 6X posed face of the uppermost sheet adjacent its trailing edge andwithdraws it entirely by suction from beneath the hold-down. As'thesheet is drawn from beneath the hold-down the trailing' edge of thesheet engages fingers which are moved to operate an electric circuitcontaining, a magnet to open the conduit, through which air is drawnfrom'the roll, to the atmosphere thus to reduce the suctional eifect ofthe roll on the sheet.

Under reduced suction the roll tends to hold the so trailing edge of thesheet in contact with the fingers without moving the sheet; When theleading edge of'the sheet is withdrawn from beneath the hold-down theblasts of air from the winding devices cause the leading edge portion ofthe sheet to float upwardly into position for the operation of a suctiondrum which rotates constantly about a fixed axis in a'contra-clockwisedirection. This drum snatches the separated sheet from the-roll anddelivers it entirely by suction from the machine; Automatic mechanism isprovided, under thecontrol of the holddown, for elevating the pileplatform to maintain the uppermost sheet in the depleted pilesubstantially in the same plane.

In the illustrated embodiment of the invention the sheets tobe'delivered by the machine are stacked and then mounted in a pile 13(Figures 1, 2 and 3) upon a'platform 14. The platform 14 is carried by atable 15 provided upon its opposite 1 0 sides with slides 16 and 17(Figures 1 and 3). The slides 16 and 1'7 partially embrace verticalslide-ways l8 and-19, respectively, (Figures 1 and 3) which in turn arecarried, respectively, by side-frames ZO-and 21 provided with legs 22 to5 support them from a floor. The side-frames are suitably tied togetherto form a rigid frame for the machine.

The table 15 is supported for vertical reciprocation on the slide-ways18 and 19 by a pair of 110 chains 23 and 24 (Figures 1 and 3). Theopposite ends of the chain 23 (Figure 1) are connected, respectively, tothe table and to a depending weight. Intermediate its connections withthe table 15 and the weight the chain 23 passes over a sprocket 25secured to a shaft 26 journaled at its opposite ends in brackets 27 and28 carried, respectively, by the side-frames 20 and 21. The oppositeends of the chain 24 (Figure 3) are connected, respectively, to thetable 15 and to a weight 29. Intermediate its ends the chain 24 passesover a sprocket 30 on the shaft 26.

In order to reciprocate the table 15 vertically by hand the shaft 26 isprovided with a gear 31 (Figures 1 and 5) which meshes with a gear 32 ona stub-shaft 320 journaled in the bracket 27. The gear 32 meshes with asimilar gear 33 on a stub-shaft 34 one end of which is journaled in theside-frame 20 and the other end of which is journaled in a yoked-bracket340 secured to the side-frame 26. The shaft 34 supports a wormwheel 35which meshes with a worm 36 secured to a horizontal shaft 3'7 journaledin arms 38 and 39 projecting upwardly from the side-frame 20. On itsrear end the shaft 37 is provided with a hand-wheel 40 so that the table15 may be reciprocated vertically by hand through the connectionsdescribed. With this construction the worm-wheel 35 acts as anirreversible mechanism 3 to maintain the table 15 in the position towhich it has been placed through manipulation of the hand-wheel 4Onotwithstanding theweight of the pile 13. I

g The position of the uppermost sheet in the pile with relation to thesheet separating and sheet delivering mechanism of the machine isdetermined by a hold-down 41 (Figures 1, 2, 3, 10 and 11) whichoverhangs the leading edge of the uppermost sheet inthe pile. Theleading edge of the sheet is the one nearer the delivery end of themachine. The trailing edge of the sheet isthe one opposite the leadingedge. The holddown 41'stakes the pile at a point nearer its center thanits sides. The hold-down 41 is formed upon the end of a shank 42 whichis bent,

as shown particularly in Figure 12, to clear the pile. The shank 42 isconnected to a sleeve 43 which is adjustablysecured by a screw 44 to oneend of a horizontal shaft 45. The shaft 45 is journaled to rock in arms46 and 47 extending inwardly from the side-frame 20. While the holddown41 is mounted to move downwardly under the influence of gravity as thepile diminishes in height its weight and the weight of the connectionsdescribed are partially counterbalanced by a weight 48 adjustablymounted upon a small rod 49 projecting from a sleeve 50 secured to theshaft 45.

In the illustrated embodiment of the invention the hold-down 41, throughautomatic mechanism to be described, maintains the uppermost sheet inthe depleted pile susbtantially in the same plane during the operationof the devices for Withdrawing the sheets one at a time from the pile 13and delivering them from the machine.

These devices for withdrawing the sheets one at a time from the pilecomprise a rotary suction roll or drum 51 (Figure 3) and a rotarysuction roll or drum 52. For convenience merely hereinafter, the devices51 and 52 are called, respectively, a roll and a drum. The roll 51withdraws the uppermost sheet in the pile from beneath the holddown 41to separate the sheet from the pile and is therefore called a separatingdevice. The drum 52 acts upon the sheet separated from the pile devicesare relatively movable toward and from each other to accommodate theiroperation to sheets of widely varying length.

Referring to Figure 3 the hold-down 41 limits.

the height of the pile 13 and locates the uppermost sheet in the pile ina plane spaced from the separating and delivering devices. In order toelevate the rear portion of the uppermost sheet in the pile into thefield of operation of the roll 51 while the front portion of theuppermost sheet is held down on the pileby the hold-down The drum 52 istherefore call d a 41 the rear and side edges of .the uppermost,

sheets in the pile are winded by air blown through nozzles presently tobe described. The air blown against the rear and side edges of theuppermost sheets inthe pile forms a cushion between them. The trailingedge and the margin of the exposed face of the uppermost sheet adjacentthereto floats upon this air cushion intothe field oi operation of theseparating device 51. This device, which isa suction roll'rotating abouta fixed axis in a clockwise direction viewing Figure 3, engages thefloating sheet and draws it from beneath the hold-down 41 thus toseparate the uppermost sheet from the pile. As soon as the leading edgeof the uppermost sheet passes from beneath the hold-down it floatsupwardly into the field of operation of the delivering device 52. Thisdevice, which is a suction drum rotating about a fixed axis in acontra-clockwisedirection viewe ing Figure 3, draws the separated sheetaway from the separating roll 51 and delivers the separated sheet fromthe machine.

Referring to Figures 6 and 7 the separating device 51 comprises acylindrical roll which is keyed to a horizontal shaft 53 journaled inthe opposed arms of a yoke 54. The yoke 54 is carried upon the lower endof a vertical plate 55 which is connected (Figure 6) to the vertical arm56 of a bent bracket 57 the horizontal arm 58 of which is supported froma pair of spaced flat rails 59. At the rear of the machine the rails 59are carried. by distance pieces 65 (Figure 8) which depend from ahorizontal tie-plate 61 the opposite ends of which are supported byuprightv arms 62 and 63 carried, respectively, by the sideframes 20 and21. Centrally of the machine the rails 59 are carried by distance pieces54 which depend from a horizontal tic-plate 65 the opposite ends ofwhich are supported, respectively, by the brackets 27 and 28. l

In order to adjust the position of the roll'51 vertically the arm 56 isprovided-with slot 66 (Figure 7) which embraces loosely the hank of abolt 67 having a head 68 engaged with the rear face of the arm 56, aportion of the shank passing through the ribbed portion of the plate 55.Interposed, between the rib on the plate 55 and a nut 69 on the end ofthe shank of the bolt 67, 'is a washer 70. With this construction theplate 5.5 may be moved on the arm 56 within the limits of the slot 66.The desired position of adjustment is. maintained by tightening the nut69.

zontalshaft 80 (Figure 5). One end of the shaft 'cates with the passage100 and thus cause the To facilitate the adjustment of the plate 55 onthe arm 56, the arm 58 is. provided with an extension 71 between therails 59. The extension 7.1 carries a finger-piece 72 secured to a shank73 which is mounted to rotate in the extension 71 while held fromlongitudinal movement. .The lower end of the shank 73 is threaded into aboss 74 formed on the plate 55. I

q In order'to permitlmovement of the'roll 51 towards and from the drum52 to accommodate the roll and drum tosheets widely varying in length,the arm 58 (Figure 6) carries a threaded shank 75 which extends upwardbetween the rails 59. Threaded upon the end of the shank 75 is a nut 76.Interposed between the rails 59 and the nut 76 is a rectangular block 77which straddles therails. With'this construction the horizontal positionof the roll 51 relatively to thedrum 52 may be varied by sliding the arm.58 along the rails 59 .and the desired position of adjustment may be.maintained by tightening the nut 76 to cause it to wedge the block 77against the rails 59.

The shaft 53 for the roll 51 is driven by a bevel gear 78 (Figure 7)which meshes with a similar gear'79 having a spline connection with ahori- 80 is journaled in a hanger 81 supported by the shaft 53 betweenthe yoke 54 andthe'bevel gear 78. The other end of the shaft 80 isjournaled in j a bracket 82 depending from'a casting 83 forming a sleevefor a horizontal shaft 84 the opposite. ends of which are journaled inthe sideframes 20 and 21, respectively. Near its front end the shaft 80is provided with a bevel gear 85 (Figures 4 and 5) which meshes with asimilar gear 86 on one end of a stub-shaft 87 journaled in a sleevehanger 88 depending from the sleeve 83. The shaft 87 carries a gear 89which meshes with a similar gear 90 on the shaft 84. Outside theside-frame 20 the shaft 84 is provided with a sprocket 91 (Figure 1)which is driven by a chain 92 from the machine to which the sheets aredelivered. V I

' Referring again to Figures 6 and 7, the cylindrical separating roll 51is provided with a peripheral series of aligned rows of openings 93. The

openings in each row communicate with a blind passage 94 each one ofwhich terminates in an opening 95 on the left-side face of the roll 51.

:The opposite face of the roll 51 is provided with a chamber 96.

Coiled about the shaft 53 and interposed between the bottom of thechamber 96 and a washer97 on the adjacent arm of the yoke 54 is aspring98. 'This spring forces the left-side face of the roll 51 into air-tightengagement with a stationary fibre disk 99 secured to a circular faceformed on the adjacent arm ofthe yoke 54. This arm of the yoke 54 andthe fibre disk 99 carried thereby are provided with a horizontal passage100 arranged to register successively with each of the openings 9.5 asthe roll 51' is rotated in a clockwise direction viewing Figured Inorder to draw atmospheric air through the roll 51 when one of theopenings 95 communi- -100 is connected by a conduit 101 to some suitableair exhauster (not shown). To this end the conduit 101 is connectedthrough a T 102 (Figure 3) to a fitting 103 connected by a tube 104.

to the air exhauster. Intermediate its ends the eonduit 101 is connectedto a valve casing 105 carried by a bracket 106 on the side of the plate55. The conduit is maintained normally closed to the atmosphere by avalve comprising a leather disk 107 adapted to close a circular opening108 in the valve casing 105. The leather disk 107 is secured to a cap109 which is pinned to a guide stem 110 mounted to slide in a fibrebushing 111 which lines a small opening 112 in the valve casing.

In order .to operate. the valve 107 to open the conduit 101to theatmosphere, the cap 109 is connected -by a link 113 to an armature 114forming part of a magnet and resistance coil unit 115. The magnet partof the unit comprises a coil 116 inserted through an opening formedcentrally through a series of flat plates 117 (Figure 7), theconstruction being such that a portion of each of the plates1l7 passesthrough the. central opening in the coil 116. The fiat plates 117 arebound together by two fiat metallicrplates 118 (Figure 5) each having apair of outstanding ears 119 through which screws 120 pass to secure theunit to the short face of a bent plate 121 (Figure 5) the long face ofwhich is secured to the plate 55. The bracket 106 is secured to the longface of the plate 121 by the screws 122. Interposed between the ears 119and the short face of the plate 1211s an insulating plate 123. By meansof the leather valve 107, the fibre bushing 111, and the insulatingplate 128 the magnet unit is insulated electrically and magneticallyfrom the machine.

ports a switch 131 to which a terminal 182 is.

connected. The switch 131 is insulated from the machine by theinsulating material of which the lever 130' is constructed. Thehorizontal arm on the bell-crank lever 130 carries a plate 133 which isformed at its front end int-o three fingers 134 which extend forwardlyinto grooves 135 (Figure 7) inv the separating roll51. The forward endsof the fingers 134 extend into the path of movementof the trailing edgeof the uppermost sheet in the stack during its movement from beneath thehold-down 41 under the action of the roll 51.

Normally the armature 114, which is pivoted to the unit 115, is held inthe position of Figure 6 by a spring 136 one end of which is connectedto the armature 114 and the other end of which is connected to the valvebody 105. Normally the fingers 134 are held in the position of Figure 6,with the switch 131 engaged with the terminal 126, by a spring 137connected to two pins 138 and 1380, one on the arm 125 and the other onthe ball-crank lever 130.

As shown by the diagram in Figure 8 the resistance coil 124 and themagnet 116 are connectedin series to the transmission lines independentof the switch 131. When the switch 131 contacts with the terminal 126the magnet 116 is short-circuited and practically'de-energized torelease the armature 114 to the influence of the spring 186. When theswitch 131 contacts with the terminal 127 the resistance coil isshortcircuited and practically deene rgized. This increases theenergization of the magnet which re.- tracts its armature 114 againstthe tension of the spring 136. With this construction the magnet isenergized normally, sub-normally and abnormally. When energized normallythe magnet keeps its armature home. This normal energy is notsuiiicient, however, to operate the magnet to retract its armature whenthe valve 107' is closed by the spring 136. The provision of a metalliccircuit which is energized independently of the switch 131 eliminatesarcing between the switch and the terminals 126 and 127 when switchcontact is broken. The inductive discharge goes through the closedmetallic circuit instead of jumping across the gap which has just beenopened between the switch and one of the terminals.

In the position illustrated in Figure 3 the magnet 116 isshort-circuited or de-energized and the armature 114 is free to moveunder the influence of the spring 136 to close the valve 107. Thus, theconduit 101-is maintained closed to the atmosphere normally. When theroll 51 engages the uppermost sheet in the pile and withdraws it frombeneath the hold-down 41 to separate the sheet from the pile thetrailing edge of the separated sheet enages the fingers 134 therebyswinging the bell-crank lever 125 'to withdraw the switch 131 from theterminal 1 6 and to engage the switch 131 with the terminal 127. Asshown in Figure 6 the construction is such that the switch 131 isoperated by an extremely slight movement of the fingers 134 under theinfluence of the trailing edge of the separated sheet.

When the switch 131 contacts with the terminal127 the resistance coil124 is short-circuitsd thus increasing the energization of the magnet116 sufficient to retract the armature 114 against the tension of thespring 136 to operate the valve 107' and open the conduit 101 to theatmosphere. Opening the conduit to the atmosphere does not breakentirely the suctional engagement of the roll 51 with the separatedsheet as the size of the opening 108 and the movement of the valve 107are correlated to the aggregate sizes of the openings 93 in the roll 51in communication at the time with the conduit 101 so that the amount ofsuctional engagement of the roll 51 with the separated sheet is reducedrather than destroyed. With this construction after the conduit 101 isopen to the atmosphere the suction roll 51 continues to engage theseparated sheet during the continued rotation of the roll with a forcetending to hold the trailing edge of the separated sheet firmly againstthe fingers 113 thus to maintain the magnet 116 fully energized.Vibration of the fingers 134 under the influence of uneven pressureexerted by the trailing edge of the separated sheet against them resultsneither in a fluttering or" the valve 107 nor in arcing between theterminals and the switch 131 to which the vibrations of the fingers aretransmitted. The normal flow of current through the circuit keeps thearmature home after it has been retracted and provides an energizedmetallic circuit through which inductive'discharges flow instead ofjumping across the gaps formed between the vibrating switch 131 and theterminal 127. It will, however, be understood by those skilled in theartthat the period in which the separated sheet is held stationary againstthe fingers 134 before the separated sheet is snatched away from theroll 51 by the drum 52 is very small.

As shown in Figures 10 and 11 the drum52 is provided with a series ofaligned peripheral open-' ings 139, each of the series comprising two.Each of the openings 139 in a series. communi cates with ablind passage140 each having an opening 141 on the left-side face of the'drum 52.The'drum52v is keyed to the shaft 84 and therefore rotates about a fixedaxis. From Fig ure 5 it is apparent that the roll 51 and drum 52- rotatein opposite directions.

In order to draw atmospheric air through the drum 52 its. face, providedwith the openings 141, is engaged by a fibre disk 142 which is carriedupon one end of a sleeve 143 supported in one branch of a yoke 144. Theyoke 144 is formed on one end of an arm 145 (Figure 10) which is so.-cured to a rock-shaft 146 (Figure 5) mounted to rock in the side-frames20 and 21. The sleeve 143 is provided witha shoulder 147 (Figure 11)and. a cylindrical shank 148 which slides in the secand branch of theyoke 144 (Figure 5). The disk. 142 is held in air-tight engagement withthe drum 52 by a spring 149 coiled around the shank. 148 and interposedbetween the shoulder 1.47 and the second branch of the yoke 144. Thedisk. 142 and sleeve 143 are provided with a passage 150 which communiates through a flexible tube 151 with the T 102 (Figure. 5) of the airexhausting system.

- As shown in Figures 10 and 11 the passage 150. does not normallyregister with the adjacent opening 141. In order to elevate the arm.1.45 to cause the passage 150 to register" with the openings 141duringthe rotation of the drum 52 the shaft 146 (Figure 3) outside theside-frame 21 is provided witht a depending arm 152 the lower end ofwhich is connected by a link 153 with an arm 154 pivoted at 155 on thefitting 103. The front face of the, arm 154 is held, by a springpressedplunger 156 on the fitting 103, against a earn 157 formed on a sleeve158 (Figure 5) mounted to rotate on a stud 159' carried by the.side-fran1e 21. The sleeve 158 is rotated by a gear 160 thereon which isdriven by a similar gear 161 on the end of the shaft 84.

hen the arm 145 is elevated by the cam 157 the passage 150 is broughtinto register with the lowermost one of the openings 141. The separated;sheet, which has been with-drawn from beneath the hoid-down 41 and whichis being held by the roll 51 under reduced suction against the nngers134, is then picked up by the drum 52 and delivered to the rolls at theright of Figure 3.

It will be apparent that the drum 52 operates in timed relation withthe-machine to which the drum delivers the sheets. By changing the cam157 the drum may operate continuously or pe-' riodically' in accordancewith the requirements of the particular machine to which the sheets aredelivered. It will also be apparent that the roll 51 operates in untimedrelation to the drum 52; The roll 51 has nodefinite cycle of operationlike the drum 52 when operating periodically. The cycle of operation ofthe roll 51 is controlled by the trailing edge of each sheet separatedby it.

in order to wind the trailing edges of the uppermost sheets in the pile,the plate 55 carries a horizontal tube 162 (Figures 5, 7 and 9) providedwith an aligned series of openings 163. To support the tube 162 theplate 55 carries a stud 164" (Figure 6') to whichare secured a pair ofdepending arms'165. The lower ends of these arms form journals in whichthe tube 162 may rock and'thus blow air in a curvilinear'path up anddown the lateral edgesoi the'uppermost sheets in-the pile. The tube 162is provided with an arm 1630 which is connected by a bent link 1640 toa' crank 1650 on one end of the shaft 53. In order to flatten'or spreadthe air blown through the tube 162 in the plane of the sheets thetube isprovided with deflectors 166 (Figure 9).

The tube 162 is connected by a flexible tube 167 to a distributor 168(Figure 3) suitably connected to a blower (not shown) for blowing airinto the distributor. The distributor 168 is connected by two tubes 169and 170 to blowing nozzles 171 arranged on opposite sides of the rearportion of the pile. These nozzles 171 are shaped to flatten or spreadthe air blown from them in a horizontal plane. Each nozzle 171 ismounted for vertical adjustment in a clamp 172 which in turn is mountedfor lateral adjustment on a horizontal The rods 173 (Figure 3) projectinwardly, respectively, from the side-frames 20 and 21 in order to allowclearance for the travel of the separating roll head along the rails 59.The distributor 168 is also connected by two tubes 174 and 175 toblowing nozzles 176 arranged on opposite sides of the front portion ofthe pile. These nozzles are constructed similar to the nozzles 171 andare supported for vertical and lateral 'adrod 173.

justment from a horizontal bar'17-7 connected to the side-frames 20 and21.

In order'to maintain automatically the uppermost sheet in the pilesubstantially in the same plane'notwithstanding the continued removal ofsheets from the pile the shaft 84 is provided,

outside the frame 20 with a crank 178 (Figure 1) I which through an arm179 oscillates a lever 180 mounted for pivotal movement from thesideframe 29. The lever 180 is pivoted to one end of a link 181 theupper end of whichis provided with a slot 182 (Figure 12). The slot 182loosely embraces a pin 183 carried by the yoked end of an arm 184loosely mounted on the shaft 37. The other end of the arm 184 carries aweight 185 tending to transfer the pin 183 to the upper end of the slot182. The'arm 184 carries a pivoted pawl 186 adapted to engage a ratchet187 on the shaft 87.

With the parts positioned as shown in Figure 12 the constantly vibratinglink 181 does not move the arm 184 as the weight 185 is preventedfrommoving the pin 183 into the upper end of the slot 182 by a finger188 engaged beneath the arm 184. The arm 188 is rigidly secured to arockshaft 189 mounted to rock in the arms 46 and 47. One end of therock-shaft 189 is provided with an arm 190 having a lateral pin 191which rides in an open-ended slot 192 formed on one end of an arm I 193projecting from the rock-shaft 45. When the "sheets are removed from thepile the hold-down 41 moves downwardly thus rocking the shafts 45 and189. When this occurs the position of the finger 188 is changed to allowtheweight 185 to move downwardly and thus move the pin 183 upfwardly inthe slot 182 so that the vibrating link 181 may engage it and impart thecorrect feeding stroketo the pawl 186 and rotatethe shaft 26 through theratchet 187 to elevate the table 15.

In addition to the automatic means for varying the suctional pull of theroll 51 on the sheet during its rotation the valve casing 105 isprovided with a pet-cock 194 so that the operative may bleed the airexhausting system to reduce the amount of air drawn through the roll 51.The

' fitting 1081s also provided with a valve 195 but this valve controls alarge opening in the fitting so that when it is uncovered by the valve195 substantially all the atmospheric air drawn into the air-exhausingsystem enters through said opening. The valve 195 may be used as astarting and stopping mechanism independent of'the power drive as theroll and drum rotate without effect upon the sheet when the valve 195 ismoved to open the fitting 103 to the atmosphere.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art,

taking into consideration the different sizes,

successively in opposite directions without the use of the hold-down,the automatic means for opening the conduit, connected to the separatingroll, t'othe atmosphere, or the winding devices. By the use of suctiondevices, specifically a roll and a drum, operating successively toseparate and deliver the same sheet an important advance in sheetfeeding has been made. If through static, unfavorable atmosphericconditions or badly severed sheets a plurality ofsheetsare' separatedfrom the pile by the suction separating device, when thesuctiondelivering device operates to drag them away from the suctionseparating device to deliver them to the delivery rolls the two sheetswill fan enough toallow the separating device to exert suction on thenarrow lap of the "underlying second sheet and prevent the deliveringdevice from delivering more than one sheet at a time to the deliveryrolls.

While in the illustrated embodiment of the in-' vention the front end ofthe machine supports the usual delivery roll 196 (Figures 3 and 5) theusual delivery press rolls 197 and 198, and one end of the usualregistry board 199 it will be understood by those skilled in the artthat this manner of supporting said devices is immaterial-so far as thefeatures of the present invention are concerned andthatfor purposesofprotection and disclosure the delivering device 52 may be considered thedevice which delivers the separated sheet from the machine.

plication to use in connection with the particular 1 apparatus or theparticularmode of operation or both selected for purposes ofillustration and explanation. While the particulars of construction Iherein set forth are well'suited to one mechanical form of theinvention, it is not limited to these details of construction, nor tothe conjoint use of all its featuresnor is it to be understood thatthese particulars are essential since they may be without departing fromthe true'scope of the actual invention, characterizing features of whichare set forth in the following claims by the invariously modified withinthe skill of the artisan tentional use of generic terms and expressionsin- 1 2. In a sheet feeding machine the combination with an operatively,axially stationary suction device for separating a sheet in a pile byengagement with the exposed face of the sheet and a device fordelivering the separated sheet by engagement with said exposed face, ofmeans for operating said devices to move the sheet bodily successivelyin opposite directions.

3. In a sheet feeding machine the combination with an operatively,axially stationary device for separating bodily a sheet in a pile byengagement with the exposed face of the sheet adjacent the trailing edgethereof, and a device for delivering the separated sheet by initialengagement with said exposed face adjacent the leading edge thereof, ofmeans for operating said devices to perform the separating anddelivering operations successively. v

4. In a sheet feeding machine the combination with an operatively,axially stationarydevice for separating a sheet in a pile by engagementwith the exposed face of the sheet adjacent the trailing edge thereof,and a device for delivering the separated sheet by initial engagementwith said exposed face adjacent the leading edge thereof, of means foroperating said devices to move the sheet bodily successivelyiii-opposite directions.

' 5.'In a sheet feeding machine the combination with a rotary suctionsheet separating device and a rotary suction sheet delivering device, ofmeans for'rotating said devices in opposite directions to move the sheetbodily successively in opposite di rections. I

6. In a sheet feeding machine the combination ,with a rotary device forseparating a sheet in a pile by engagement with the exposed face of thesheet adjacent its trailing edge and a rotary device for delivering theseparated sheet by initial engagement with said-exposed face adjacentits leading edge, of means for operating said devices to move the sheetsuccessively in opposite directions.

7. In a sheet feeding machine the combination with a sheet separatingdevice rotating constantly about a fixed axis to move a sheet bodily inone direction, of a sheet delivering device rotating constantly about afixed axis in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation of theseparating device to move the separated sheet in an opposite directionto the sheet separating movement substantially in the same planethereof.

8. In a sheet feeding machine the combination with a suction device forseparating a sheet in a pile by engagement with the exposed face of thesheet adjacent its trailing edge and a suction device for delivering theseparated sheet by initial en agement with. said exposed face adjacut,its leading edge, of automatic means for reducing the suctional pull ofthe separating device to allow the delivering device to snatch theseparated sheet therefrom.

9. In a sheet feeding machine'the combination with a suction device forseparating a sheet in a,

pile by'engagement with the exposed face of the sheet adjacent itstrailing edge and. a suction devicefor delivering the separated sheet byinitial engagement with said exposed face adjacent its leading edge, ofautomatic means for reducing the suctional pull-of the separating deviceto allow thedeiivering device to snatch the separated sheet therefrom,and automatic means for restoring the suctional pull of the separatingdevice to cause it to retain the sheet directly under the separatedsheet while it is being delivered by the delivering device;

10. A sheet feeding machine having, in combination, a hold-down forstaking a pile of sheets adjacent their leading edges, an operatively,axially fixed suction device engaging the exposed face of the uppermostsheet for moving it bodily to withdraw the leading edge from beneaththehold-down, and a suction device engaging said exposed face fordelivering the separated sheet over the hold-down.

11. 'A sheet feeding machine having, in comof means for varying theoperation of the sepa rating device in ing device.

' 13. In a sheet feedingmachine the combination with a suction devicefor delivering sheets one at a time from a pile, and a suction devicefor separating from the pile the uppermost sheet thereof prior to itsdelivery, of automatic means for relatively varying the suctional effectof said devices upon the same sheet.

l4.-A sheet feeding machine having, in combination, a hold-down forstaking a pile of sheets adjacent their leading edges, means foroperating upon a sheet first to withdraw it from beneath the hold-downand then to deliver the withdrawn sheet over the hold-down, and meansfor winding the sheet to elevate" the trailing and leading edges of thesheet successively. V p

15. A sheet feeding machine having, in com bination, a hold-down forstaking a pile of sheets adjacent their leading edges, a device forwithdrawing a sheet from beneath the hold-down, a device for deliveringthe withdrawn sheet, and means for winding the staked sheet to elevatethe trailing edge thereof into the field of operation of the first nameddevice. I

16. A sheet feeding machine having, in comuntimed relation to thedeliverbination, a hold-down for staking a pile of sheets drawing asheet from beneath the hold-down, a device for delivering the withdrawnsheet, andmeans for winding the staked sheet to elevate the trailingedge-thereof into the field of operation of the first named device, saidmeans oper ating to elevate the, leading edge of the sheet into thefield of operation of the second named device after the sheet has beenwithdrawnfrom beneath the hold-down. y

17. A sheet feeding machine having, incombination, a hold-down forstaking a pile of sheets adjacent their leading edges, a suction devicefor withdrawing a sheet from beneath the holddown, a suction device fordelivering the withdrawn sheet, and means for windingthe staked sheet toelevate its trailing edge into the field of operation. of the firstnamed suction device.

18. A sheet feeding machine having, in combination, a hold-down forstaking a pile of sheets means operating to elevate the leading edge ofthe sheet into the field. of operation of the second named suctiondevice after the sheet has been withdrawn from beneath the hold-down.

19. In, a sheet feeding machine the combination with an operatively,axially fixed device havinga definite cycle of operations for deliveringsheets one at a time from a pile and a device for separating from the.pile the uppermost sheet thereof prior to its delivery, of meanscontrolled by the trailing edge of each sheet for varying the operationof the separating device. in untimed relation to the delivering device.

20. In a sheet feeding machine the combination with a rotary sheetseparating device, a rotary sheet delivering device and means forrotating said devices in opposite directions about fixed axes,respectively, of means for relatively moving said devices towards andfrom each other.

21. In a sheet feeding machine the combination with an operatively,axially fixed device for separating a sheet from a pile preliminary toits delivery by engagement with the exposed face of the sheet, of meanscontrolled by the sheet'for limiting the separating stroke of saiddevice.

trolled by the sheet for varying, while continuously maintaining, thesuctional pull of the device on the sheet.

23. In a sheet feeding machine the combination with a suction roll forseparating a sheet from a pile, preliminary to its delivery, byengagement with the exposed face of the sheet, of means controlled bythe sheet for varying, while continuously maintaining, the suctionalpull of the roll on the sheet.

24. In a sheet feeding machine the combination with an operatively,axially fixed device for separating a sheet from a pile, preliminary todelivery, by engagement with the exposed face of the sheet, of meanscontrolled by the trailing edge of the sheet for limiting the separatingmovement of the sheet.

25. In a sheet feeding machine the combina-' tion with a suction rollfor separating a sheet from a pile, preliminary to delivery, byengagement with the exposed face of the sheet, a conduit connected tothe roll for drawing air therefrom, and a valve in the conduit, of meanscontrolled by the trailing edge of the sheetfor opmeans into operation.

27. In a sheet feeding machine the combinationwith a suction roll forseparating a sheet from a pile, preliminary to delivery, by engagementwith the exposed face of the sheet, a conduit connected to the roll fordrawing air therefrom, a valve in the conduit and means normallymaintaining the conduit closed to the atmosphere, of means controlled bythe trailing edge of the sheet for operating the valve to open theconduit to the atmosphere.

machine the combinaforseparating a sheet '28. In a sheet feeding tionwith asuctionroll from a pile, preliminary ment with the exposed face ofthe sheet, a conduit connected to the roll for drawing air therefrom, avalve in' the conduit, magnet circuit including an armature operativelyconnected to the valve, and means for maintaining the magnet deenergizedand the conduit closed to the atmosphere, of means controlled by thetrailing edge of the sheet for energizing the magnet and operating thevalve to open the conduit to the atmos phere.

29. In a sheet feeding tion with a suction roll from a pile, preliminaryto delivery, by engagemachine the combina to delivery, by engageforseparating a sheet ment with the exposed face of the sheet, a conduitconnected to the roll for drawing air there-f from, a valve in theconduit, a magnet circuit including an'armature operatively connected tothe the exposed face of the sheet, a conduit connected to the roll fordrawing air therefrom, a valve in the conduit, a magnet circuitincluding an armature operatively connected to the'valve, a resistancecoil circuit, said resistance coil and magnet being connected in series,a bell-crank lever having a switch on one arm thereof for alternatelyshort-circuiting the magnet and resistance coii, and means engaged withthe bell-crank lever for operating the switch to maintain the resistancecoil energized and the magnet de-energized, of fingers carried by thebell-crank lever and interposed in the path of the trailing edge of. thesheet in its movement of separation for swinging the bell-crank lever toshort-circuit the resistance coil and energize the magnet.

31. In a sheet feeding machine the combination with a suction drumrotating about a fixed axis for delivering a sheet from a pile having acircu-' lar series of passages on one end face open to the periphery ofthe drum, and a conduit for withdrawing air from the drum, of means forperiodically operating the conduit to register it with at least one ofthe passages in the circular series.

32. In a sheet feeding machine the combination with a suction drumrotating about a fixed axis for delivering a s set from a pile having acircular series of passages on one end face open to the periphery of thedrum, a facing having a passage therein, means for pressing the facingagainst the said end face of the drum, and a conduit communicating withthe passage in the facing for withdrawing air from the drum, of meansfor periodically operating the facing to register it with at least oneof the passages in the circular cries.

33. In a sheet feeding machine the combination with means for separatingindividual sheets from a pile and delivering them in succession from themachine, of means for winding at least one vertical face of the pilecomprising an oscillating blowing nozzle provided with deflectors for.flattening or spreading the air in a plane.

34. In a sheet feeding machine the combination with means for separatingindividual sheets from a pile and delivering them in succession from themachine, and means for winding at least one vertical face of the pilecomprising a blowing nozzle provided with deflectors for flattening orspreading the air in a plane, of means for operating the nozzle to blowthe air in a vertical path across the edges of the uppermost sheets inthe pile.

85. In a sheet feeding machine the combination with means for separatingindividual sheets from a pile and delivering them in succession from themachine, and means for winding at least one ver-' 'tical face of thepile comprising a blowing nozzle,

of means for oscillating the nozzle about a horizontal axis.

36. In a; sheet feeding machine the combination with means forseparating individual sheets from a pile and delivering them insuccession from the machine, and means for Winding at least one verticalface of the pile comprising a blowing nozzle provided with deflectorsfor flattening or spread ing theair in a plane, or" means foroscillating the nozzle about a horizontal axis.

37. In a sheet feeding machine the combination with means for separatingindividual sheets from a pile and delivering them in succession fromthe, machine, and means for Winding at least one side-

